IFON, IS A TOWN WITH THE LOST GLORY AND SO MANY CHALLENGES.
Happy 4th posthumous Birthday to His Royal Majesty, Oba Israel Adegoke Adeusi 1 (JP), the late Olufon of Ifon Omima Kingdom, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
On November 26, 2020, IFON town was thrown into pandemonium and devastated position and drew a lot of attention around the world as our traditional ruler, the Olufon, Oba Israel Adeusi, was gruesomely killed by unknown dreaded Fulani gunmen while returning from the Council of Obas meeting in Akure.
This incident has not only made our town, IFON, headless but has left a big vacuum and scars on the peaceful loving people of Omima Kingdom. The distasteful and inglorious event has also exposed IFON to more attacks and called for more kidnapping and killing activities by these assailants. It has also brought no single developments into the town, rather, it only subjected the town to a series of backwardness and already became the ghost of itself. The elites have left the town to relocate to some neighboring towns and cities because of the security situation at home. Even the ones abroad are scared of returning home or paying a visit to their families at home due to the insecurity menace militating and now rampant in the axis. Our people could no longer go to their farms anymore. Travelers are scared to ply the axis.
Once upon a time, when there were no alternative routes, you had to drive through Ifon if you were maneuvering the West to the Midwest or Eastern Region. This gesture alone made commercial activities flourish, prosper, and bustle. The town and its neighboring communities solemnly relied on this to live large while we were hoping that things would continue on that trajectory and would someday be among the significant urban centers not only in Ondo State but Nigeria at large. Unfortunately, disappointedly, the reverse is the case as all hope and optimism were dashed as a nefarious series of attacks from these Fulani Kidnappers continued to prevail day by day in the areas.
Just last week, the IFON axis recorded two separate attacks. Farmers were attacked, kidnapped from their farms, and made to pay some ransom. In the same vein, travelers were kidnapped, a driver and passenger were shot dead, and among the people who were abducted was an NYSC member. Currently, their Families are looking for how to raise a huge amount of money for ransom.
On April 23, 2023, the former chairman of the local government, Hon. Bola Adelegbe, a brother to the current House of Representative member was abducted along Okeluse Road and till now, we have not heard about him even after paying the ransom of N5 million demanded by his faceless abductors. No one knows whether he’s alive or dead. These and many more are what we have been experiencing in IFON and as an indigene of the kingdom.
IFON, is a town without a Bank, a good access road, security, and a HEAD. Also, I could remember in 2017 when a 15-man gang of armed robbers invaded the defuncted Polaris Bank in Ifon, killing the three policemen on duty and escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash taken from the vaults of the bank. The incident grounded social and commercial activities in the town till this moment. It was an unforgettable day indeed. IFON is a town that shares a border with Edo and Ondo State.
In all of these, what has the government done so far to alleviate these sufferings and put succor to the people of IFON Omima Kingdom? How is the government of the day helping us to arrest this ugly situation and restore the lost glory to the land? Unfortunately, I am yet to hear anything from the Ondo State Government either through Governor Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa or his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, mni who happens to be more closer to the region in condemning or visiting our people in IFON to sympathize or give them the words of Hope. How about our supposed Leaders over there too, how are they helping the matter? Why are we yet to have a new OLUFON, politics or what? For how long are we going to live in fear? When are we jumping out of this unwarranted scenario?
However, I am appealing to the Federal government, Governor LUCKY ORIMISAN Aiyedatiwa and every concerned authority, the Security agencies to help us. There is nothing bad if we have a special security Joint Task Force (JTF) base stationed, patrolling along the dreaded routes. Also, combing the thick forest from Omolege-Elegbeka-Omi Alafa is very necessary including Igboke axis too. These aforementioned areas are the dwelling places, settlements, and Abode for these marauders perpetrating evils in our land.
IFON Sons and Daughters across the globe, it is time we reclaim our land and protect our people and their properties from the hands of these Gunmen. Enough is Enough. IFON is under siege. Our people are not safe anymore. They are suffering. We are being marginalized. It is time to reclaim the lost glory.
Eminale IFON Agbe Wa ooo!
E GET WHY!
Oluwaseun Joshua Ogunmola
(ogbeniobsugar)
Writes from Igboke, IFON
(A Safer And Saner Society Crusader).
